Drama aplenty as Brace justifies favouritism

There was no shortage of drama in the Tayto Group Maiden Hurdle, with Brace Yourself eventually coming out on top under Sean Flanagan for Noel Meade and owner Patricia Hunt.

Outsider The Big Galloper unseated at the third and caused plenty of problems for his rivals thereafter, as he continued to race on loose.

The front-running Raya Time almost ran out at the fourth last, with his rider Noel Fehily doing exceptionally well to keep the partnership in tact.

Brace Yourself, who was returned the 6/4 favourite (from 2s), bustled his way into a share of the lead after the third last, and was ridden to the front before the final flight, keeping on well from there to score by a length. Defi Bleu (10s to 8s), who certainly wasn't helped by the loose horse, finished second under Jack Kennedy, while fellow Gordon Elliott trained Batts Rock (8/1) was another half a length back in third, with Davy Russell aboard this one.

Meade said afterwards: "He's a northern horse, we bought him off Warren Ewing and he came very highly recommended.

"He won a bumper by a long way here. We kept him a novice until this season.

"He didn't run up to his par at Punchestown but we think he is a nice horse. He wants further than two miles, two and a half I'd say.

"The bit of rain helped him and he jumped great. It was a funny race with that loose one all over the place. The best horse won.

"I'd say we will try and get into a novice hurdle somewhere before Christmas - there's a couple of them there in Navan over more of a trip I'd imagine."

Flanagan added: "It was his first run in a while. I had it in the back of my head that I didn't want to get there too soon.

"He is a very, very game horse. He jumped like a stag and travelled great. He won a bumper here on St Stephen's Day and absolutely bolted in.

"His work at home was super. If you were to say anything coming here you might said it was a tad short, but his class has got him through it."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham